Hard Plumbing

[scsteven]

Happy Memorial Day!! I have four questions for today
1. We're in the process of hard-plumbing the filter and pump. After searching and searching this forum, I can't find any specs or pics that clearly show how (or what is used) the rigid PVC is connected to the return line and the skimmer.
2. We are replacing our liner and adding a main drain to the pool. Pictures of plumbing for this would be helpful too.
3. Also, does anyone have any experience hard plumbing the return line to a 2-speed Waterway pump? It has a threaded fitting that looks like it needs an adaptor of some sort.
4. Any advice on how to drain the pool without using the filter/pump/vac combo? (Our pool has the buckled service panel that is getting replaced along with the liner and the addition of a main drain.) When should we start draining it? The pool guys are coming on June 6 to do the work. We are doing our own plumbing; it has to be ready to connect and go!
Thank you in advance!

[matt4x4]

Personally, I would NOT do a main drain on an AG pool, especially if in a frost zone - you would not believe the amount of movement an AG pool undergoes due to frost and that center drain will only become a problem spot. It's realatively easy to slope your ground inside the pool to be about 6" deeper in the middle, when setting your return jet to create a vortex, most dirt will accumulate in the center portion of your pool anyways and vacuuming that up really takes no time at all.

[scsteven]

In answer to my own question, we figured out how to connect the hard PVC to the skimmer and the return. The existing fittings screw out and so we took those to the hardware store and bought new ones that will screw into the new skimmer and return. It will work fine. Yeah!! Now we wait....

[tphaggerty]

Just make sure you use Schedule 40 PVC for your fittings and piping. It needs to say Schedule 40 (or Sch40 or something like that). Locally (in NY), of the "local hardware" store types, only Lowes carries Schedule 40. Home Depot doesn't and most of the smaller stores don't either. Pool stores do, some more than others.

This is important!! Waste lines and fittings (which HD does carry) are not pressure rated! Please recheck your fittings and pipes!! Also, you will need to make sure that you use a good PVC cleaner and at least medium strength PVC cement. Some folks like to use the purple PVC primer - I don't because it makes the pipe joints purple. I just clean very well using the PVC cleaner, then use the medium strength (black can normally) PVC cement.

[Pontiadict]

I just finished hard plumbing my pump and filter lines,and got all pipes and fittings from Home Depot.I guess some H.D.'s carry Sched.40 PVC and some don't.Down here in South Florida many homeowners have sprinkler systems
so there's definately a demand for it I guess.

John

[Hightech]

Ive been thinking of doing just this, but im curious what you all that have hard plumbed your AG pools do with your pump in the winter months, or are you all in warmer climates, seems I would have to be able to unhook the pump from everything else to bring it inside for the winter as well as my multi port valve on the filter?

TIA

[mdenegre]

I will be replacing my filter shortly and would like to hard plumb it also. I have a 24' AG. How would one reccomend handling the intake side? The skimmer has a graduated pipe designed to fit different size hoses. Is there an adapter for threaded pipe? Is there a skimmer with a threaded tail?

[scsteven]

That fitting unscrews and you can buy the correct size fitting at the hardware store. That's what we did. Just make sure that it's schedule 40 PVC. I really will get pics posted once the pool work is done. I promise!

[mdenegre]

My skimmer is one piece there is no fitting on it, just the tail piece.

[hrsdennis]

Doughboy makes a hard plum adapter. One end attaches to the skimmer or return and the other end accepts 1 1/2" PVC pipe. Two hose clamps tighten the thing up and you are hard plumbing. Doughboy is one of the few styles of skimmers that are not PVC compatible.

Here is a trick I used before the adapter became available. Take a 1 ½” male adapter. Meaning slip on one side and male threaded on the other. On the inside of the threaded end, use a utility blade and scrape out some of the insides, until it fits snuggly over your skimmer fitting. Use plenty of PVC glue and you are all set.

Later, Dennis